• Northwestern snuck past Illinois for a 72-68 overtime home victory on Friday. The Wildcats opened the season in the top 25 but plummeted after three non-conference losses including a 36-point beatdown by Texas Tech. Collins started Falzon and Jordan Ash over usual starters Skelly and Lindsey against the Illini. Lindsey responded with 22 points and Skelly fouled out in 15 minutes. The Wildcats may yet return to NCAA Tournament form, but last year's magic hasn't yet clicked.

• Purdue had trouble with playmaking Maryland point guard Anthony Cowan on Friday. Now it gets to tussle with McIntosh. In four career games against the Boilermakers, McIntosh is averaging 19.8 points with a 3.2-to-1 assist-turnover ratio. He and Thompson have a long friendship dating back to their AAU days. Sunday they go head-to-head for perhaps the final time.

• Northwestern is the worst offensive rebounding team in the Big Ten, yet has been one of the best on the defensive boards. Law and Lindsey have more defensive rebounds than any of the Wildcats' true frontcourt players. Purdue similarly must take a team-wide approach to the boards. So far Carsen Edwards (2.6 to 4.3) and Mathias (3.9 to 4.5) have noticeably increased their rebounding production over last season.